Vietnam Dang, 34, appeared Tuesday in Rockingham County Superior Court to plead guilty to burglary-related charges. He will serve six months in county jail for breaking into a Windham home in February. (JAMES A KIMBLE PHOTO)

Bay State burglar jailed in Windham break-in

By JAMES A. KIMBLEUnion Leader Correspondent

BRENTWOOD – A Worcester, Mass., man who joined with a friend to break into a Windham home was ordered to serve six months in county jail.

Vietnam Dang, 34, pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, giving up an earlier bid to challenge evidence prior to his trial.

.Dang burglarized a Windham home Feb. 21 with Robert Dalton, 35, of Lowell, Mass., as part of a plan to target a New Hampshire house during school vacation week when more people might be away from home, prosecutors said...“They decided to drive up to New Hampshire and do some felonies here,” assistant county attorney Jerome Blanchard said. “Apparently, none of them had any ties to the community. This house looked like it was empty.”..Blanchard said Dang deserved a full 12-month sentence, arguing that residential burglaries often threaten a victim’s well-being and sense of security.

When the men arrived at their intended burglary target — a home for sale — neighbor Katherine Reader said she walked over to the home to greet them...“I honestly believed they might have been my new neighbors when I went there,” Reader said in court Tuesday. “I didn’t have a plan.” But once she realized the men were burglars, she grabbed a broom and told them, “Stop! Don’t move. I have you covered.”..Dang fled on foot, while Dalton pushed Reader to the ground. She retreated and called 911.